Back to school grant

Congratulations new acting police chief

CONGRATULATIONS to the new Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew on his well deserved appointment after being a career police officer for 34 years (FT 28/1).

The people of Fiji can look forward to the rebranding of the police force as the protector of the people and their right to live in peace and

WHY are foreigners not considered for the $200 back to school grant?

First of all, I want to congratulate the coalition Government in Fiji led by honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and his team.

The people of Fiji are elated upon this change of government and indeed one can feel a breath of fresh air everywhere.

As a foreigner living in Fiji, I am writing to bring to the attention of the current Government that the recently introduced $200 school grant is not within the reach of children of freedom under the rule of law in our democracy.

RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia non-citizens as applications by guardians and parents of children of noncitizens were not accepted.

As the nation is making tremendous progress, we can as well refuse to overlook the significant contributions of those coming from the diaspora to work and live in Fiji.

There are many foreigners working across boards, parastatals, educational institutions and several offices of international bodies and embassies in Fiji.

Please permit me to encourage the Government to remember the children of non-citizens.

Asking the applicants to put in their birth numbers was to discriminate against children who were not Fijians by birth.

How about children whose parents are Fijians but born outside the country?

I hope the Government will do something about this and give all Fijians the opportunity to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Once again, I congratulate the new Government. BOLARINWA OMOPARIOLA Gospel School for the Deaf